When – October 23-25, 2026
Where – Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare
The annual Farming For Nature Gathering will be held on Saturday 24th October in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare as part of the Burren Winterage Weekend 2026 (October Bank Holiday).
This event allows us to come together to celebrate farmers across Ireland who are striving to work alongside nature, and to share ideas on how these great custodians might best be supported at a time of great challenge and opportunity.
All farmers and other interested parties who want to be part of this discussion and learn more about farming for nature are welcome to attend.
Schedule
Winterage Webinar Week
A series of 1-hour online webinars running from Monday 19th – Thursday 22nd October. Free online events, registration is necessary.
- Webinar 1 – Monday 19th October 8pm.
Outwintering cattle – pros and cons with FFN Ambassadors Clive Bright and TBC. Register here.
- Webinar 2 – Tuesday 20th October 8pm.
Using technology in upland farming with FFN Ambassadors Tommy Reidy and TBC. Register here.
- Webinar 3 – Wednesday 21st October 8pm.
Rangelands and Pastoralism with farmers Will Condon and Aoife Forde. Register here.
- Webinar 4 – Thursday 22nd October 8pm.
Women and farming for nature with FFN Ambassadors Blatnaid Gallagher and Sinead Moran. Register here.
Burren Winterage Weekend
Friday 23rd October
Burren Winterage School – Celebrating the UN Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism
- Morning session (9.30am – 1pm) will take place in the Pavillion in Lisdoonvarna.
- Afternoon session (2pm – 6pm) is a field trip to McGann’s farm in Carron and hosted by the NPWS.
- All info and booking here.
Saturday 24th October
4pm – 5:30pm in The Burren Smokehouse Visitor Centre, Lisdoonvarna
Farming for Nature panel discussion: Females farming for family, food and nature
- Speakers: Pippa Hackett, Laura McGoran, Siobhán Hubbard. Facilitated by Maura Farrell.
- This panel explores the roles of female farmers in caring for the environment and shaping more sustainable approaches to farming. Drawing on research from Professor Maura Farrell of the FLIARA project (https://fliara.eu/), the discussion will connect research insights with the lived experiences of three female farmers; Pippa Hackett, Laura McGoran and Siobhán Hubbard. Exploring how they approach nature-friendly farming and the wider care of land and rural communities. The panel will offer a space to consider what women’s experiences can contribute to the future of environmentally friendly farming in Ireland and beyond.
- Free event and spaces are limited, register here.
9pm – 10pm in The Burren Storehouse, Lisdoonvarna
Farming for Nature Awards Ceremony 2026
- Join us to celebrate and welcome our 2026 Farming for Nature Ambassadors to the network.
- Hosted by Ella McSweeney.
- All welcome to join! Free event, register here.
- Supported by DAFM and NPWS.
Sunday 25th October
Burren Winterage Cattle Drive and Food Fayre
- 12pm – 4pm in Fanore, Co Clare
- You are invited to join the Burren Winterage Cattle Drive, where hundreds of people join a local farming family in herding their cattle to the winterage pastures.
- This is a ticketed event. All info and to book your tickets click here.
Please check out the Burren Winterage Festival programme of events here to see what other events are happening around the Burren over the weekend.
For a preview of what the weekend is like, see here:
